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Eric Clapton Biography

Eric Patrick Clapton (born 30 March 1945), nicknamed "Slowhand", is a Grammy Award winning English composer, singer and guitarist who became one of the most respected artists of the rock era, garnering an unprecedented three inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Clapton is widely considered to be one of the greatest and most influential guitarists in popular music history. Clapton's musical style has undergone multiple changes during his career, but has always remained rooted in the blues. Clapton is credited as an innovator in several phases of his career, which have included blues-rock (with John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers and The Yardbirds), early single hit "Come With Me" by The Roosters, blues-hard rock (with Cream), and work as a sideman and a solo artist; he has achieved chart success in genres ranging from delta blues (Unplugged) and psychedelic rock (Sunshine of Your Love) to pop (Change the World) and reggae (I Shot the Sheriff). Eric Clapton was also a close friend of George Harrison of the Beatles. It is believed that he wrote his song Layla about Harrison's wife, Patti Boyd, with whom he would sire a child with after she split from George Harrison. Clapton formed many relationships with a variety of different artists over the course of his career. From his start in the Yardbirds, then journeying forward to Cream, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, Derrek and the Dominoes, he was an extremely gifted musician. Clapton would go on to play lead guitar in Roger Waters' first solo album, The Pros and Cons of Hitchiking. All this while compiling hit after hit in his solo career, has made Clapton one of the most enduring guitarists of the classic rock era. "Tears in Heaven" was written after his son's tragic death.